There was a really international flavour to the second outing of the year to the west side, where you have a chance to see some of the island’s breeding seabirds.
Two sisters, one from the Netherlands, the other from Denmark; a family from Germany; and a young lass from South Africa. Also, a couple of brothers whose home is Sanday – one visiting briefly from his workbase in Australia, the other recently back after 18 months in Antarctica.
In glorious sunshine, the trek from the road at Villafield, down to the sea past the Mires took us through various bird territories. We saw, and of course heard, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank. Along the track, in the ditch and in the marshy ground, flowers included Tormentil, Lady’s Smock, Forget-me-not, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, and Thrift.
During our Picnic lunch on the boulder beach, a telescope was set up and one – just one – Puffin was found; it was near enough, fortunately, for watchers to be able to see the rainbow-coloured bill in the spells when the bird wasn’t diving for its own meal.
Everyone joined in the second half of the expedition, northwards to the really good view-point looking down on a stack – well-populated by Shags – some with eggs, some young, and a single Razorbill guarding its own egg pretty tightly.
Photographs © Roderick Thorne, 2008:
Heading down the track
Beach picnic
Heading for the seabirds
Clifftop gathering
